Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ opens as a test of PG-13 animation at the box office
“Wildwood,” the stop-motion fantasy from Laika, the studio behind “Coraline,” opens in U.S. theaters on Friday as its first PG-13 film and its first new release in seven years, the Los Angeles Times reported. The industry is watching whether a darker animated film can find an audience, according to the Times.
The film: Directed by Laika owner and chief executive Travis Knight and based on the novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, “Wildwood” follows Prue, a girl who goes into an enchanted forest to save her little brother, the Los Angeles Times reported. The film has been in the works since 2011, according to the Times. Its soundtrack, by Oscar-winning composer Dario Marianelli, is also out Friday, Gekiban Portal reported.
The rating: The film was rated PG-13 for strong fantasy violence and bloody images, thematic material, suicide-related material, brief partial nudity and language, the Times reported. “Animation is a medium. It’s not an age category,” executive producer David Burke told the Times.
Box office expectations: Paul Dergarabedian of Rentrak estimated a $6 million to $10 million opening weekend, the Times reported. Deadline reported the film was on track for about $1 million from Thursday previews and tracking for $12 million to $15 million over the weekend, according to Koimoi. It is not expected to open at No. 1, Koimoi reported.
Critics: The Hollywood Reporter’s review called it a “stupendous” stop-motion adventure. The film is distributed by Fathom Entertainment, and it is Fathom’s widest release ever, its chief executive told the Times.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times — Can adult animation sell? Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ will be the latest test
- Koimoi — Wildwood North America Box Office: on track to earn $1M in previews
- The Hollywood Reporter — ‘Wildwood’ Review: Laika’s Stupendous Stop-Motion Adventure
- Gekiban Portal — Dario Marianelli’s “Wildwood” soundtrack arrives Oct. 23